Mere steps from the beach, this five-star resort is a short drive to theme parks and the glorious Gold Coast hinterland. Families and groups will love the multi-bedroom villas equipped with comfortable living areas, verandahs and modern kitchens – handy if you’re able to resist the four on-site eateries, that is.

Beyond its resplendent location – a private island comprising 1000 hectares of national park surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef – there’s plenty to impress at this 14-bungalow retreat. Think exquisite daily meals showcasing fresh Queensland produce, free guide-led activities like snorkelling trips and the rejuvenating Gwandalan Day Spa.

There’s a cool, creative vibe at this laid-back yet luxurious stay by the Brisbane River. Expect bright and spacious rooms with water views, next-level pampering at Away Spa and elevated spins on Queensland produce at New York-style grill, The Lex.

The QT’s quirky-cool style gets a sunny twist at its Gold Coast outpost, where rattan furniture sits alongside surfboard art installations. Recline under a striped umbrella by the Instagram-worthy pool, take one of the hotel’s retro bikes for a spin and grab a Margarita at the buzzy Stingray bar (one of five on-site dining options).

A huge Palm Springs-style pool with its own man-made beach, Eléme Spa, three onsite restaurants serving everything from Mediterranean classics to spicy Asian street food, the highest rooftop bar in Cairns – in short, Crystalbrook Riley has you covered. Book a roomy, wood-panelled suite with gorgeous views out to the Coral Sea.

This family friendly Whitsundays resort is centred around the Living Reef, a vast man-made coral lagoon complete with underwater observatory and exploration centre. With 240 spacious rooms and suites, an activity-packed kids club, water sports, an open-air cinema and five restaurants, you’ll have everything you need to fill your days.

Set on the northern tip of Hamilton Island, Qualia is the Great Barrier Reef’s sleekest stay. Exclusivity is, of course, a draw – celebrities flock to the 60 self-contained pavilions, many with private plunge pools. But there are also plenty of adventures to embark on, from helicopter tours to sunset cruises, plus a luxe spa and two on-site restaurants.

Reopened in 2019 after a two-year, $135-million makeover, this family-friendly 182-room resort is home to one of the largest swimming pools in Australia. When it comes to off-island aquatic adventures, guests can dive, kayak, charter a private yacht, join an underwater ski scooter tour and much more.

The northernmost resort on the Great Barrier Reef, this 40-room-and-villa property is filled with romantic nooks where you can take in the sun and sea: loungers by the freshwater pool overlooking Anchor Bay, cushioned daybeds on your private deck, beachside pavilions where a sunset dégustation for two is served.

This resort is like a slice of the French Riviera on the Sunshine Coast, with striped awnings and whitewashed walls standing out on the Noosa Boardwalk. Stroll the shops in Hastings Street, sip champagne at the pool bar and order the seared scallops at the elegant onsite restaurant.

With 56 glam suites right next door to the Gold Coast’s Star Casino, guests at The Darling don’t need to wander far to have a good time. Along with theatre, live music and gaming, the precinct’s 16 bars, restaurants and cafés include such standouts as Kiyomi.

Set between a huge saltwater lagoon and world-class golf courses at the northern end of the Gold Coast, this luxury resort sprawls across 4.2 hectares of abundant tropical gardens. Seven different lodging options, including family-friendly configurations, are accompanied by two pools, four restaurants and an excellent kids’ club. 

Once you arrive at this stunning 15-cabin enclave in the Daintree Rainforest don’t expect to rush anywhere. Chances are, you’ll be busy gazing at the surroundings from the open-air restaurant. Don’t miss one of the First Nations-influenced treatments at the spa, such as the mud wrap and massage using native botanicals and pure water from the onsite waterfall.

Designed around a network of crystal-clear saltwater pools, the Sheraton Grand Mirage in Port Douglas sits on Four Mile Beach. The resort is home to four eateries, including acclaimed fine-diner Harrisons, and an 18-hole golf course. Rooms are sizable and stylish; book a swim-out studio for direct access to the sparkling lagoon. 

The place to see and be seen in Brisbane’s uber-chic James Street precinct, The Calile has raised the accommodation stakes in Queensland’s capital. It might be tough to drag yourself away from the photogenic pastel-hued pool but don’t skip lunch at the hotel’s cool dining choices or hitting the designer boutiques on the ground floor.

Imagine a cluster of luxury villas in the tranquil Sunshine Coast hinterland, decorated with timber furnishings and outfitted with cedar hot tubs. That’s Tamarind, renowned for its cooking school, hatted Thai restaurant and indulgent gourmet picnics in the resort’s lush grounds.

Located on Marlin Marina, the Shangri-La in Cairns promises easy access to boat tours departing for the Great Barrier Reef, as well as on-land attractions like the nearby aquarium. Each of the spacious 255 rooms and suites has its own balcony or terrace so you’ll want to leave the sliding doors open to let the sea breeze in.

Contemporary Balinese-style villas are dotted across the 15-hectare estate at Niramaya in Port Douglas, each with its own garden, pool and gourmet kitchen. Activities fall broadly into two categories: action-packed outings to dive or fish on the reef and unwinding at the spectacular spa, an indoor/outdoor haven surrounded by greenery.

Three pools, a tennis clubhouse, an adjacent kids’ playground and a relaxed Mexican restaurant: 30 minutes’ drive north of Cairns, Peppers Beach Club in Palm Cove ticks lots of boxes. Sleeping up to six, the three-bedroom Ocean Penthouse features a private rooftop terrace with a barbecue and plunge pool, kitchen, separate entertainment areas and epic views.

All sleek white modern buildings accented with striped awnings, green palms and pink bougainvillaea, this Townsville resort-casino will look perfect on your grid. When you’re not soaking up the sun on the lawns lining the resort or sipping a Margarita at the pool bar, head to the shaded terrace at Quarterdeck for some bug and prawn sliders.

Silky Oaks has unparalleled access to Tropical North Queensland’s natural wonders – overlooking the beautiful Mossman River, it’s a hub for adventures in the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation. As for lodgings, you’ll be sleeping in one of 40 luxe treehouses outfitted with local timbers and works by First Nations artists.

This oceanfront resort goes the extra mile for young travellers (and their weary parents). Accommodation options range from smart studios to two-storey, three-bedroom villas with vast living rooms, a private outdoor entertaining area and plunge pool.

Located on a 28,000-hectare working cattle station, this all-inclusive lodge sits beneath a spectacular 18-kilometre-long escarpment. As impressive is the fact that the outback-chic rooms, suites and glamping tents accommodate just 28 lucky guests at a time – giving you plenty of space to relax in your outdoor tub, the infinity pool or sunset bar.

Perched 1100 metres above sea level and surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park and the Great Dividing Range, this all-inclusive stay is the pinnacle of charm. The 10 suites and two private lodges feel both considered and comfortable, featuring bespoke furnishings, recycled timber floorboards and bluestone fireplaces.

One of three design-forward Crystalbrook Collection properties in Cairns, Flynn is the boisterous younger sibling. Fun touches come in the form of a glass-walled swimming pool, fuchsia robes in the 311 fashionable rooms, plus there’s a trio of restaurants offering everything from rare whiskies to ice cream desserts.

As the name suggests, this apartment-style resort occupies prime real estate on Noosa’s Main Beach. Inside, the self-contained units have configurations for families, couples and solo travellers with a soothing blend of roomy lounge spaces, crisp white linens and massive windows for appreciating the views.

With the only swim-up pool bar in Cairns, this 314-room resort also boasts a casual restaurant, a gym and fun-filled school-holiday programs. After a long day lazing in the sunshine – or exploring the esplanade and Cairns Museum, less than 10 minutes’ walk away – head to Moku Bar & Grill for a poolside poke bowl.